College student gang raped in Bihar, 2 held

Two persons were arrested on Wednesday in connection with the alleged gang rape a 22-year-old college student on Mandar hill in Banka district of south-eastern Bihar, about 45 kilometres from Bhagalpur, late Tuesday.

“The case will be referred for speedy trial”, Banka superintendent of police (SP) Pushkar Anand said, confirming the arrests on Wednesday, after visiting the scene of the alleged crime.

The two were picked up from Paharpur village located close to the foot of Mandar hill, a Hindu and Jain pilgrimage centre, which falls under Baunsi police station of Banka.

This was after a case was registered at the Baunsi police station, based on a statement given by the victim, who was with a male companion when the alleged incident took place.

A third person said to be involved in the incident was on the run. The victim’s medical examination was awaited till reports from Banka came in, late Wednesday afternoon.

In her statement, the victim told the police three cattle grazers detained her and forced themselves upon her, after she, along with a male companion, sought directions for reaching the hilltop.

The three men, in the ‘30 to 40 years’ age group, she said, held them ‘hostage’ for almost three hours. “They also took away Rs. 3,500 cash my friend was carrying with him”, she added.

Though warned by the assailants not to report the matter, the girl and her friend, who had reached Banka from Biharsharif in Nalanda district to meet her, lodged a complaint with the police.

This, according to the Banka SP, was the aftermath of a ‘romance’ that developed over a series of mobile conversations between the two. The boy was stated to be an engineering student.